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DeSmuME
What it is
DeSmuME is a free emulator that attempts to reproduce the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite handheld consoles on Windows, Linux, and macOS. It emulates the D-pad, buttons, and touch screen, and a Lid control switches the emulated system between folded and unfolded states. Graphics options include a software SoftRasterizer and an OpenGL-based renderer. Audio samples can use linear or cosine interpolation, or run without interpolation; microphone input can come from hardware audio or generated software samples. The Windows version can capture screenshots, AVI video, and WAV audio, and record TAS gameplay movies. It also supports saving and loading game states, though its Windows manual warns that states may stop working between emulator versions. Cheat search and editing are available, with Action Replay codes supported in post-0.9.2 development builds. Wi-Fi support is experimental and unsupported, and the project discourages end users from relying on it. DeSmuME is distributed under the GNU General Public License, and the project documents a developer interface and Python library. DSi emulation is not supported.
For and against
For
- Free and GPL-licensed
- Runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS
- Emulates touch screen and handheld controls
- Windows version records screenshots, video, and audio
- Includes save-state and cheat tools
Against
- Does not support DSi emulation
- Wi-Fi is experimental and unsupported
- Save states may break between emulator versions
The verdict
DeSmuME covers core DS and DS Lite controls, graphics, audio, and recording features. Its unsupported Wi-Fi and version-sensitive save states are important limits to consider.
Who it suits
DeSmuME may suit users seeking Nintendo DS or DS Lite emulation on a desktop operating system. It is also relevant to developers interested in the documented interface and Python library.
Plans and prices
DeSmuME
Nintendo DS and DS Lite emulation · DSi not supported · Windows, Linux and Mac OS X
Read 30 Sep 2026 · wiki.desmume.org
On the record
- Audio
- Audio samples can be post-processed with linear or cosine interpolation, or interpolation can be disabled.wiki.desmume.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Cheats
- The emulator provides cheat search and editing facilities and supports Action Replay codes in post-0.9.2 development builds.wiki.desmume.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Controls
- The D-pad, buttons and touch screen are fully emulated, and the NDS folded or unfolded state can be toggled through a Lid control.wiki.desmume.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Developer interface
- The project exposes a DLL/SO interface and documents a Python library that uses it.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Graphics
- DeSmuME includes a software SoftRasterizer renderer and an OpenGL-based renderer.wiki.desmume.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- License
- DeSmuME is distributed under the GNU General Public License and may be freely copied if the GPL requirements are followed.wiki.desmume.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- macOS security note
- The FAQ says the macOS application is not code signed because it is a free open-source app and advises downloading it from the official Downloads page.wiki.desmume.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Microphone
- Microphone features are emulated using hardware audio input or software-generated samples.wiki.desmume.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- DeSmuME is a Nintendo DS emulator.github.com · read 30 Sep 2026
- Recording
- The Windows port can record screenshots, AVI video, WAV audio and TAS gameplay movies.wiki.desmume.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Save states
- The Windows manual says users can save and load the current game state, while warning that save states may break between emulator versions.wiki.desmume.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- Users can report bugs and request features through the project's official GitHub or SourceForge trackers.wiki.desmume.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Supported consoles
- It attempts to emulate the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite handheld consoles.wiki.desmume.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Wi-Fi limitation
- Wi-Fi support is experimental and unsupported, and the project discourages end users from using it.wiki.desmume.org · read 30 Sep 2026
